Dunbar circular from John Muir Country Park

East Lothian Walk

Walk Route Description

Click image to see photo description.

The East Lothian town and the surrounding area offers pleasant walking. The route starts from the John Muir Country Park (grid ref. NT651787) where free parking is available. The John Muir Country Park is signed off the A1087 just over a mile west of the Dunbar. After parking walk towards the sea and turn left. Continue until you reach the corner of Hedderwick Hill Plantation (grid ref. NT650788). Turn left and follow the track (signed the John Muir Way) along the southern flank of the plantation a kilometre. Just before reaching a footbridge (grid ref. NT640788), turn right and continue along the edge of the plantation. The path takes you in a loop initially alongside Hedderwick Sands before turning south-east and returning back you to where you started!

Ignore the temptation of returning to the car and continue ahead on the John Muir Way. Reaching Biel Water, the path turns right and continues a short distance to a footbridge. Cross the bridge and turn left to continue following the John Muir Way. This leads you to Shore Way. Turn left and continue along the road until a small car park at its northern end (grid ref. NT662788). Here the route continues to follow the John Muir Way passing a row of benches offering a seaward view before skirting Winterfield Golf Course on your right. Stay on the path closest to the sea. At times the path takes a sinuous course with many twists and turns. After two kilometres you reach the small harbour of St. Margaret's.

The route now turns inland. From the south side of the harbour, bear right into Victoria Place and then right into Victoria Street and continue to a roundabout in the centre of the town (grid ref. NT678790). Turn left along High Street to the next roundabout. Here turn right along the A1087. Take the first left (Countess Crescent) and continue past the library (on your right) to reach the junction with Countess Road (grid ref. NT675586). Cross thro ad at the lights and take the tarmac path under the railway. The path turns left after the tunnel alongside Dunbar United FC. After 100 metres turn right onto a tarmac path and follow this to join Kellie Road. Reaching a road Junction (grid ref. NT675782) take the footpath opposite through woodland. After 250 metres you pass Hallhill Cottages on your right to join Direlton Avenue. Turn right (west) and follow a quiet country lane for 800 metres to reach a junction with Beveridge Row (grid ref. NT667779).

Go straight across and continue along the lane flanked by fields. The lane bears left and heads south to join the B6370 at Eweford Cottages. Turn right using the wide grass verge for safety where possible. After crossing the railway, you enter West Barns. Keep ahead until you reach the A1087 Edinburgh Road. Turn left and follow the pavement to the village outskirts and a bridge over Biel Water (grid ref. NT653781). Here, take the signed footpath on the right. In 200 metres or so the path bears half left, leaving Biel Water to cross fields back to the car park where you started.

Walk GradingMore East Lothian Walks

Other walks nearby

Walk 3773	Ravensheugh Sands (John Muir Country Park)	easy	3.7 miles
Walk 1563	Pittenweem to Crail - Fife Coastal Path	easy	4.5 miles
Walk 1562	Elie to Pittenweem - Fife Coastal Path	easy	6.0 miles
Walk 3653	St. Abb's Head from St. Abbs	easy	4.2 miles
Walk 1729	Coldingham & Abbs Head Circular	easy/mod	7.2 miles